5 Best Kayak Life Vests

Below we have listed five of the best kayak life vests that can fit most people. The items were ranked based on customer ratings and quality.

Key factors to look at when shopping for the best kayak life vest are durability, comfort, and buoyancy. Although some manufacturers have weight limits, you usually need to measure your chest at the broadest point to order the correct size.

The Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest is the best life vest with arm holes large enough to keep your armpits from chafing during kayaking. For added comfort, the vest features bubble foam on the inner back and front, while the back ventilation keeps you cool during hot weather. The shoulders and side belts are adjustable, letting you find the most comfortable fit. This life vest also has an attached whistle and solas grade reflective material to improve safety. The material is indeed flexible and soft, but the vest might be a bit bulkier than you would expect.

Pros

+Added mesh on the back

+Comes with a whistle and other additional safety features

Cons

–Pockets are too small

2. Eyson Slim Inflatable Life Vest

The Eyson Slim Inflatable Life Vest is one of the best kayak life vests with both automatic and manual inflation. When submerged in water, the vest automatically inflates, but you can also inflate it manually by pulling on a cord. In 3 to 5 seconds, it’s ready to use and can support a weight up to 330 lbs (150 kg). To provide more safety, the life vest comes with a whistle and two reflection bands. It’s also durable and has good buoyancy as well.

Pros

+Minimalist design

+Versatile

Cons

–Only comes with one cylinder

3. NRS Chinook PFD Life Vest

This life vest is perfect for kayak fishing, featuring some of the best customer ratings out there. The product is one of the best kayak life vests for kayaks with high back seats thanks to the mesh lower back. Made with Soft PlushFIT foam flotation, it takes the shape of your body and makes for a comfortable fit thanks to eight adjustment points. Other helpful features include a D-ring you can attach a fishing net to, a knife lash tab, a strobe holder loop, a coil tool retractor, and additional D-ring and attachment loops.

The Onyx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is one of the best kayak life vests to provide you with a lot of freedom. It features a flexible design and a mesh lower back that shapes after your body, making it a good choice for kayaks with a high back seat. Made of 200 denier nylon ripstop and nylon oxford, it’s durable and can fit a variety of chest sizes. It might feel a little bulky but, overall, it makes for a comfortable fit.

Pros

+Soft foam padding

+Large and comfortable armholes

Cons

–Hard to zip past the padding

5. Lixada Polyester Mesh Kayak Life Vest

Made of replaceable EPE foam and premium ripstop polyester shell, the Lixada Polyester Mesh Kayak Life Vest is durable and buoyant. It was designed to fit both men and women of varying sizes well and, depending on the degree of comfort you want, you can buy it with or without foam. Also, you can adjust the waist and shoulders to your body size. For more freedom in movement, the sides are open to let you paddle freely. This is one of the best kayak life vests for those who commonly bring a lot of items with them while kayaking, as it features plenty of pockets.

Pros

+The padding feels great on your shoulders

+Durable

Cons

–Unpleasant smell as you take it out of the package

Conclusion

The best kayak life vests should be durable and comfortable, so they won’t rip or puncture during kayaking and will provide a lot of safety. All of the items listed above meet these needs while being extremely comfortable and smooth. Which do you think is the best kayak life vest overall? Let us know in the comments below.